The country's sugar consumption is seen to be up by 7.14 per cent to 22.5 million tonnes during 2008-09 season, though production is seen lower at 15.5 lakh tonnes for the same period.     

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Country witnessed 1,128 incidents of naxal violence this year - Govt working out details of National Food Security Act: Pawar - UPDATE:Meeting of CMs of Naxal-hit states next month: Chidambaram - NEWSALERT: LS adjourns for 15 mins as JD-U & BJD members create uproar - I have taken risk to return to higher growth rates: Mukherjee - Interest subsidy, ECGC scheme extended till March 2010   Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Sensex makes remarkable recovery, regains 17K - L N Mittal doubles his stake in Ophir Energy - Indian handicraft firms to participate in Munich fair - Microsoft eyes Indian smartphone mkt - RIL Hazira unit bags 'Excellent Energy Efficient Unit Award' More

The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution K V Thomas said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that sugar consumption is projected at 22.5 million tonnes in the current season, against 21 million tonnes in the last year same period.     

Whereas sugar production is pegged lower by 41 per cent at 15.5 million tonnes from last season, he said, adding that in order to augment domestic supply, the government has allowed import of raw sugar and refined white sugar.     

Imports are allowed with a view to keep sugar prices at a reasonable level, Thomas noted.     

The government has permitted designated trading agencies to import upto one million tonnes of duty-free white sugar under open general licence till August 1, he said.     

This apart, the Centre has also allowed sugar factories to import raw sugar till September 3 and sell the processed sweetener within the country so as to increase availability, he added.     

Sugar season runs from October to September.

Other Stories      - Sensex makes remarkable recovery, regains 17K - L N Mittal doubles his stake in Ophir Energy - Indian handicraft firms to participate in Munich fair - Microsoft eyes Indian smartphone mkt - RIL Hazira unit bags 'Excellent Energy Efficient Unit Award' More

Tags : sugar consumption | Lok Sabha | white sugar |   Read Business news in  Advertisements   Get financial advisory and solutions for your projects   Holidays starting at a delightful EMI of Rs 3481   Switch on and say hello to Monday morning !   Your dream home can now be a reality.   Visit Fortis for a preventive health check-up & get a 20% discount.   Follow the ups and downs of your investments. Try our new Portfolio Tracker   Kolkata Dock \ Freight contract for the British Gurkhas Nepal   Find how Midsize Businesses use ERP to gain competitive advantage   Trading in Forex is now as easy as 1-2-3   Discover an economical and cost effective way to market your products and services   Giftwithlove.com: Same day delivery of Flowers and Cakes to India   Download the E-book on the Future of Business Intelligence   Learn Best Practices for improving customer satisfaction   Know your customers better... download the free e-book on CRM